1. Lecture 28 Social & Legal Issues (S&G, ch. 14)
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Lecture 28
Social & Legal Issues
(S&G, ch. 14)
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CS Lecture 28

2. Simulation & Models Recall our discussion of models:
a model is intended to address a certain class of questions or issues
models make simplifying assumptions
Recall the omission of aerodynamic stability from bridge models before the Tacoma Narrows Bridge disaster
Nevertheless, computer models & simulations are essential
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3. Evaluating Models How well is the underlying science understood?
What sorts of simplifying assumptions are made?
How well does the model agree with experimental results?
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4. Lecture 28
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Computer Crime
Often just a new or “better” way to commit traditional crimes
Ampliative aspects of computer technology
may allow committing crimes on a larger scale
Reductive aspects of computer technology
may make it harder to detect crimes, identify criminals, etc.
Ampliative: in past, could steal only one (or a wallet’s worth) of credit cards at a time;
now can steal hundreds of thousands of numbers at one time
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5. Some Kinds of Computer Crime
Lecture 28
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Some Kinds of Computer Crime
Fraud, embezzlement & theft
Stealing (data)
“Hacking” (system cracking)
individual systems
the information infrastructure
benign hacking?
Viruses & worms: reproduce selves
virus: hides in another program
worm: an independent program
It is difficult to get accurate data on the extent of these crimes, since victims (businesses) tend to hide them.
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6. Constitutional & Civil Liberties Issues
1st Amendment protects freedom of speech & press
4th Amendment protects against unreasonable search & seizure
Do they apply to electronic & other new media?
So far, the courts generally have held them to apply, but there is much uncertainty
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7. Communication Media
Is the operator of a communication medium responsible for the information it carries?
analogy: telephone companies & post office
analogy: a privately-owned meeting room
Can the operator restrict this information?
analogy: private presses
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8. Encryption & Wiretapping
Encryption can be used to ensure privacy & authenticity
may be used for legal/illegal purposes
May be subject to export restrictions
What provisions should be made for government interception & recording of communications?
What limits should be imposed on the government?
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9. Lecture 28
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These questions are especially relevant to issues such as the “USA PATRIOT” Act
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10. How do we address these issues?
Engineering issues (efficiency, economy, elegance)
addressed by engineering analysis & other kinds of technical expertise
Legal issues
addressed by lawyers, courts, etc.
Ethical issues
addressed by ethicists & ethical analysis
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11. New Ethical Issues Consider a relatively well-defined ethical problem:
Is it ethical to “hack” into someone else’s computer system (and do no damage)?
Traditional moral codes do not address this issue!
So we must apply ethical analysis
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12. Ethical Analysis Only touching on a few basic ideas
Ethics = “the study of how to decide if something is morally right or wrong”
What criteria are used for judging the rightness or wrongness of an action?
There are several well-established approaches to defining criteria
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CS Lecture 28

13. Consequentialism
If the consequences of an act are on the whole good, then the act is good
If the consequences of an act are on the whole bad, then the act is bad
Good or bad for whom?
Utilitarian criterion: the greatest total happiness
Also, may be difficult to predict consequences
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14. Deontological Criterion
Deontology = the study of moral obligation
Rather than focusing on the consequences of an act, deontological arguments focus on the inherent nature of the act
Two important questions:
What is the intent of the act?
Is it a defensible, responsible act?
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15. Two Important Tools of Ethical Analysis
Dialectic
Analogy
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16. Dialectical Method Root meaning of dialectic is conversation
Philosophical dialectic: a method of approaching the truth by moving critically among two or more viewpoints
The strengths & weaknesses of each viewpoint are revealed, especially from the perspective of the others
Ideal outcome: a synthesis that combines the strengths & eliminate the weaknesses
More commonly, leads to better understanding of improved viewpoints
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17. Analogical Method
Identify analogous situations that are more familiar or better understood
Identify similarities & differences between the analogy and the issue of concern
Consider their relevance to the issue
Explore competing analogies dialectically
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18. A Method of Ethical Analysis
Identify stakeholders
Identify what is at stake (utilitarian step)
Identify duties & responsibilities (deontological step)
Think of & evaluate analogies
Make a decision or repeat the steps
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19. Three Case Studies Sharing music files Zimmerman & PGP encryption
“Hacking” computer systems
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20. Reminder: Final Exam Monday, May 3 2:45 – 4:45
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21. Next Time: a movie on the history of computing & a short quiz (to ensure you pay attention!)
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